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E liyahu Dobkin
(50). Born in Belarus, a leader of HeHalutz in Russia and Poland,
replacing Joseph Trumpeldor in this position. Immigrated in 1932
and was appointed head of the Aliya Department of the Histadrut.
In 1935 he was elected to the Zionist Executive, and up until the
establishment of the state he was head of its Aliya department and
"Minister of Aliya" of the “state in-the-making”. In 1948 he was the
representative of the Jewish Agency Executive in besieged Jerusalem. Member of the
Provisional State Council. Between the years 1949-1968 he was head of the Youth and
Pioneering Department of the Jewish Agency, and chairman of the Board of Keren
HaYesod. Died in 1976.
M eir Vilner
(30). The youngest of the signatories. Born in Poland, where he
joined the Communist Party; continued his political activity
in Palestine following his immigration in 1938. A leader of the
Palestine Communist Party, which became the Communist Party
of Israel. Represented the Communist Party in the Provisional
State Council and was a member of the 1st-12th Knesset in the
party's various incarnations. Died in 2003.
Herzl Vardi
(45). His original family name – Rosenblum – is better known.
Born in Lithuania. Qualified as a lawyer, but better known as a
journalist and editor. Immigrated in 1935. Wrote for the HaBoker
newspaper, and from the beginning of 1948 was chief editor of
Yediot Aharonot newspaper (until 1986). Active in the Revisionist
Party and one of its representatives in the Provisional State Council.
At the ceremony of the declaration of the state, Ben-Gurion demanded that he sign
using his Hebrew name, and so he wrote 'Vardi'. Afterwards he reverted to using the
name Rosenblum. Died in 1991.
Zerach Warhaftig
(42). B orn in Belarus. Received a broad religious and academic
education. A leader of Mizrahi, Torah VaAvoda, and active in
Zionist institutions in Poland. At the start of the Second World
War he fled to Lithuania, and over a long period made his way
via Japan to the US. Left for Palestine in 1947. Headed the Jewish
National Council's legal department at the end of the Mandate
period. Member of the Provisional State Council. Member of the
1st-9th Knesset. Served for many years as Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs and as
Minister of Religious Affairs. Died in 2002.
A State is Born 37
(50). Born in Belarus, a leader of HeHalutz in Russia and Poland,
replacing Joseph Trumpeldor in this position. Immigrated in 1932
and was appointed head of the Aliya Department of the Histadrut.
In 1935 he was elected to the Zionist Executive, and up until the
establishment of the state he was head of its Aliya department and
"Minister of Aliya" of the “state in-the-making”. In 1948 he was the
representative of the Jewish Agency Executive in besieged Jerusalem. Member of the
Provisional State Council. Between the years 1949-1968 he was head of the Youth and
Pioneering Department of the Jewish Agency, and chairman of the Board of Keren
HaYesod. Died in 1976.
M eir Vilner
(30). The youngest of the signatories. Born in Poland, where he
joined the Communist Party; continued his political activity
in Palestine following his immigration in 1938. A leader of the
Palestine Communist Party, which became the Communist Party
of Israel. Represented the Communist Party in the Provisional
State Council and was a member of the 1st-12th Knesset in the
party's various incarnations. Died in 2003.
Herzl Vardi
(45). His original family name – Rosenblum – is better known.
Born in Lithuania. Qualified as a lawyer, but better known as a
journalist and editor. Immigrated in 1935. Wrote for the HaBoker
newspaper, and from the beginning of 1948 was chief editor of
Yediot Aharonot newspaper (until 1986). Active in the Revisionist
Party and one of its representatives in the Provisional State Council.
At the ceremony of the declaration of the state, Ben-Gurion demanded that he sign
using his Hebrew name, and so he wrote 'Vardi'. Afterwards he reverted to using the
name Rosenblum. Died in 1991.
Zerach Warhaftig
(42). B orn in Belarus. Received a broad religious and academic
education. A leader of Mizrahi, Torah VaAvoda, and active in
Zionist institutions in Poland. At the start of the Second World
War he fled to Lithuania, and over a long period made his way
via Japan to the US. Left for Palestine in 1947. Headed the Jewish
National Council's legal department at the end of the Mandate
period. Member of the Provisional State Council. Member of the
1st-9th Knesset. Served for many years as Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs and as
Minister of Religious Affairs. Died in 2002.
A State is Born 37
